10 Players Newcastle Were Mad To Let Go

7. Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa - Loaned To Roma And Then Sold For £6.5 Million (2014)

Newcastle United Appearances (2013-14): 46 Newcastle United Goals: 0 International Appearances for France (Goals): 4 (0) Clubs (Since Leaving NUFC): Roma (2014-) Career Appearances (Since Leaving NUFC): 33 Career Goals (Since Leaving NUFC): 0

Newcastle allowed Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa to depart on loan for the 2014-15 season to Roma - a deal which soon turned into a permanent £6.5 million transfer - despite the fact they had just three out-and-out centre-backs in the squad at the time. Yanga-Mbiwa struggled during his time on Tyneside, no doubt, but he was often played out of position - and he did captain Montpellier to the Ligue 1 title, so he does have some class. While Newcastle were struggling to send out an entire back four during the 2014-15 season, Yanga-Mbiwa was playing well in the Champions League with Roma and helping them to claim second spot in Serie A. The Magpies may regret signing Yanga-Mbiwa for £8.5 million in the first place, considering he was chief scout Graham Carr's pick and Alan Pardew simply didn't fancy him, but the subsequent sale must now be considering to be one they regret. A £2.5 million loss on a player who has gone on to play Champions League football while Newcastle conceded 63 goals in the Premier League last season - simply disastrous.